Doubler



A. R WEiBEL Jam, 314,, 19360 DOUBLER Fil ed Aug. 5, 19325 7 Sheets-Shae: l

INVENTOR A. R. WHEEL Jim m ma DOUBLER Filed Aug. 3, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 QQM wm w mu QQN INVENTOR jan. 14, 1936. A. R! WEIBEL DOUBLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 3, 1933 ELM NWN

Jam, 14, 1936, R WEIJBEL 2,027,713

DoUBLiaR Filed Aug. 3, 1953 TSheets-Sheet 4 I l l INVENTOR A. R. WEIBEL Jan. M 1936.

DOUBLER Filed Aug. 3, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm NN hm QWN A. R. WEIBEL.

Jam 14- 193.

DOUBLER Filed Aug. 3, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Patented Jan. 14, 1 936 PATENT OFFICE DOUBLER Alexander R. Weibel, Jones & Laughlin burgh, Pa), a corpora Aliquippa, Pa, assignor to Steel Corporation, Pitts tien of Pennsylvania Application August 3, 1933, Serial No. 683,460

19 Claims.

This invention relates to doublers for doubling metal sheets and packs. Itrelates particularly to an improved form of doubler which is relatively simple in construction and hence cheap in manu- 5 facture and which performs the functions incident to doubling in an improved and highly efficient manner.

My doubler accomplishes the creasing of the sheet or pack and the compressing of the curl end of the creased sheet or pack in an improved manner, insuring proper and uniform creasing and compression of thecurl end to the desired degree I preferably provide a working floor having an opening therein and a creasing blade operable to crease a sheet or pack and force the creased portion through the opening, whereupon the creasing blade is withdrawn and the sheet or pack is compressed at or adjacent the crease, after which the sheet or pack is mechanically ejected from the opening.

My doubler has numerous advantages arising both by reason of simplicity of construction and economy and effectiveness of function, and the advantages can best be brought out by describing the construction and operation of the doubler.

In the acompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a doubler with portions removed for the sake of clearness;

Figure 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of the doubler shown in Figure 1, taken along the line II-II of Figure 4, illustrating the centering mechanism;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan View showing the hydraulic connections for the doubler;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Figure l with portions cut away;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view through the, doubler with portions cut away;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic crosssectinal view of the end centering mechanism taken along the line VI--VI of Figure? Figure 7 is a diagrammatic longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view through the end centering mechanism taken along the line VII-V-II of Figure. 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail elevational view of a portion of themechanism;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the mechanism;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical crosssectional view through the portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 9;

Figure llis a fragmentary plan view of a modified centering member construction;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view through a valve, taken along the line XII-XII of Figure 13; and

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line XIIL-XIII of Figure 12.

For the sake of simplicity the doubler will be described and its operation explained in connection with the doubling of a single oblong metal sheet, although the doubler is specifically intended for doubling pairs or packs of metal sheets and is also useful with obvious modifications for other purposes.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the doubler is preferably mounted on a concrete foundation 2 with a portion of the doubler below and a portion above the floor level 15 of the mill or plant in which it is installed. A pit 3 is provided in the mill fioor, the top of the concrete foundation 2 being considerably below the floor level, which is indicated at i in Figures 4, 5 and 10. Metal floor plates 5 are provided in conjunction with the doubler so that when the same is installed such plates will cover the pit at the floor level except for certain openings used in operation of the doubler-as will hereinafter appear.

The operating parts of the doubler are carried by suitable metal structural members designated generally by reference numeral 6, and which will not be described in detail as they may take any desired or well known form, their design and installation being merely a matter of application of engineering knowledge. However, they are shown in the drawings. The opening through which the creased sheet is forced for doubling is designated generally by reference numeral l. This opening is relatively long and narrow, its length being at least as great as the width of the widest sheet to be doubled on the doubler and its width being at least great enough to receive the creased portion of the thickest sheet or pack to be doubled together with the creasing blade. The opening-l is bounded at its opposite sides by guide means 8 which are downwardly and inwardly convexly curved as shown in Figure 5 so as to cooperate with the creasing blade to insure proper creasing of the sheet and to guide the same upon downward movement of the creasing blade. As the guides 8 are subjected to rather heavy stresses, particularly in doubling sheets or packs of considerable thickness, they are of strong and heavyconstruction as shown in Figure 5. The tops of the guides are disposed at the floor level and cooperate with the floor plates 5 so that smooth curves are provided from the floor level inwardly, and downwardly of the doubler. The

guide means are clearly shown in plan in Figure 2.

In the use of the doubler the first step is to throw the sheet down upon the floor plates 5 with the longitudinal center line of the sheet generally but not necessarily exactly perpendicular to a vertical plane through the opening T and with the transverse center line of the sheet substantially above or near such openings as indicated in Figure 2. The sheet need not be positioned with any great degree of care by the operator throwing it down, it being merely necessary to orient it in a general way as above mentioned. The sheet is then centered so that its longitudinal center line is substantially exactly perpendicular to a vertical plane through the opening 1 and its transverse center line lies substantially in such plane. The centering of the sheet is accomplished by side centering fingers 9 and I and end centering fingers i l and 2. The operating mechanism for the end centering fingers is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

Connected with one of the frame members are three generally downwardly angularly projecting posts I3, 84 and #5. Connected with the posts l4 and I5 is a cylinder #5 having fluid connections I! and I 8 and within which operates a piston l9 carrying a piston rod 20. Suitable packing held in place by a packing nut 2| is provided. The post I 3 has an opening 22 to receive the left-hand extremity of the piston rod 20, viewing Figures 6 and 7, the same serving as a guide for the piston rod.

Connected with the piston rod so as to form substantially an integral part thereof is a block 23 from which extend lateral pins 24. Journaled over each pin 24 next the block 23 is a link 25, the opposite ends of the respective links 25 being bent toward one another and receiving a pin 26 held in place by cotter pins 21. Also receiving the pin 26 and interposed between the extremities of the two links 25 is an arm 28 keyed to a shaft 29 mounted in bearings 35.

Also carried by and mounted for rotation with the shaft 29 are a pair of arms 3! which extend generally upwardly and toward each other. Pivoted to the upper end of each arm 3| at 3| is a link 32. A pin 33 passes through the opposite ends of the respective links 32 and carries between such links the end centering finger H. The pin 33 has its ends passing within generally horizontally extending slots 34 formed in members 35 at the floor level and spaced apart so as to provide between them a slot 36a. The finger H has a projection 35 which when the finger is toward the left in the position shown in solid lines in Figures 2 and 5 and in chain lines in Figure 7 extends generally downwardly, but which upon movement of the finger toward the right engages a cam track 3'! shown in Figures 5 and 7, causing the finger to rotate in the clockwise direction to assume the upright position shown in chain lines in Figure 5 and in dotted lines in Figure 7.

The pins 24 also carry the extremities of the arms 33 of a yoke 39 which is provided with a threaded head stem 49. An adjusting turnbuckle provided with lock nuts 42 cooperates with the stem 48 and a similar stem 43 on a yoke 44 carrying a pin 45 which also carries between the arms of the yoke 44 the upper extremity of an arm 46 keyed to a shaft 41 mounted in bearings 48. Also mounted for rotation with the shaft 41 is an arm 49 carrying a yoke 5 having arms 5| each carrying a link 52 pivotally connected thereto at 53. The links 52 carry a pin 54 upon which is carried the end centering finger l2 similarly to the mounting for the cooperating end centering finger I. The pin 54 has its ends passing within generally horizontally extending slots 34' formed in members 35 at the floor level and spaced apart so as to provide between them a slot 35b. The

finger l2 has a projection 36' which when the finger is toward the right in the position shown in solid lines in Figures 2 and 5 and in chain lines in Figure 7 extends generally downwardly, but which upon movement of the finger toward the left engages a cam track 31 shown in Figures 5 and 7, causing the finger to rotate in the counterclockwise direction to assume the upright position shown in chain lines in Figure 5 and in dotted lines in Figure '7.

The parts just described are so constructed and arranged that upon admission of fiuid to the cylinder it through the connection I8 the piston 19 will move generally toward the left, viewing Figure '7, causing, through the mechanism just described, the end centering fingers H and I2, which are arranged at substantially equal distances from the center of the doubler, to move toward the center of the doubler simultaneously and to substantially the same extent, such re spective fingers upon initiation of their movement being thrown into the upright position, thus enabling them respectively to engage the opposite end edges of the sheet thrown down on the doubler fioor by the operator. The fingers I! and I2 will move toward each other in synchronism until the sheet is firmly engaged by both, this insuring that the transverse center line of the sheet will lie substantially above the opening 7.

The sheet is alined by the side centering fingers 9 and Hi, there being two side centering fingers on each side of the sheet to insure proper alinement. The side edges of the sheet are substantially straight and parallel, whereas the end edges of the sheet may not and probably will not be so.

The operating mechanism for the side centering fingers is illustrated in Figure 4. There is provided a cylinder 55 having fluid connections 56 and 51 at opposite ends thereof for operating a piston within the cylinder 55 and which has a piston rod 58 having an intermediate portion 59 formed as a double rack as shown in Figure 4. The lower extremity of the piston rod 58 is guided in a guide block 6!]. Mounted in the framework at oposite sides of the rack 59 and extending generally longitudinally of the doubler are shafts 6| and 62, respectively, having keyed thereto pinions 63 and 54, respectively, which pinions mesh with the rack 59. The shaft 6! carries two pinions 65, and the shaft 62 carries two pinions 66. Meshing with each of the two pinions 65 is a rack 67 and meshing with each of the two pinions 6B is a rack 68. Each of the four racks 51 and 68 is extended toward the right, viewing Figure 4, as a rod and is suitably mounted for sliding movement in a generally horizontal plane and in a direction substantially at right angles to the longitudinal center line of the doubler. Each of the racks 61 carries one of the side centering fingers l0 and each of the racks 68 carries one of the side centering fingers 9. Slots 6.9 are provided in the floor plates for the side centering fingers 9 and II) which extend upwardly therethrough at all times. There is no need for providing for disappearance of the side centering fingers as in the case of the end centering fingers because the sheets are thrown down onto the fioor and withdrawn generally longitudinally of the doubler so that the side centering fingers are not in the way as the end centering fingers may be under these circumstances.

In Figure 11 is shown a modified form of centering finger. Such finger comprises a bolt 10 extending upwardly from a block 10' carried by a rod II which may, for example, correspond to any of the-rods connected with the racks 61 and 68, the bolt 10 carrying a rotatable hollow cylinder 12 which may conveniently be inv the form of a pile of washers, such cylinder being maintained in place by a cotter pin I3. This: form has the added advantage that the portion of the centering finger engaging an edge of a sheet is rotatable against such edge whereby to assist in lining up the sheet ll'li the doubler.

Upon admission of fluid to the cylinder through the connection 56 the piston in such cylinder moves downwardly, which also causes downward movement of the piston rod 58 and rack 59. This through the connections: above described causes simultaneous equal inward movement of all four of the side centering fingers 9 and I0. Inasmuch as there are two of such fingers at each side of the sheet, the sheet is properly alined in the doubler as well as being centered in the longitudinal direction by the end centering fingers: II and I2 above described.

A hydraulic operating system is used, and in order that the operation of the centering mechanism may be understood we shall now refer to Figure 3 in which the hydraulic connections are shown diagrammatically. The fluid which I prefer to use is oil, although other fluids may be utilized. The fluid is pumped under pressure to the pressure line Hi. A return line I5 is provided for returning the fluid to the pump through a cooling device in the usual manner. A line I6 runs from the pressure line l4 and is connected with the cylinder I5 at I? and with the cylinder 55 at 57. As this is a direct connection from the pressure line to the respective cylinders the ends of the respective pistons toward the ends of the cylinders at which the respective connections I! and 5'! enter are at all times subjected to the line pressure. However, due to the fact that the piston rods are connected to the respective pistons at the ends nearest the respective connections H and iii, the effective areas of the pistons subjected to the line pressure through the connections I1 and 51 are materially less than the effective areas of the pistons presented in the opposite direction. Therefore, when the opposite ends of the pistons are not subjected to line pressure the piston I9 will normally be urged toward the right-hand end of the cylinder I6, viewing Figure 7, and the piston within the cylinder 55 will normally be urged toward the top of such cylinder, viewing Figure 4.

There is provided a valve "I? from which is a connection I8 to the pressure line and a connection I9 to the return line. Said valve also has a third connection 89 which joins the cylinder I6 at I8 and the cylinder 55 at 56. The valve H has a stem 8| (Figures 3 and 10), which stem is pivoted by a yoke 82 and a pin 83 to a lever 84 loosely pivoted to the framework at B5 and the opposite extremity of which is loosely pivoted at 86 to a slide 81 carrying a treadle 88 (Figures 2, 9 and 10) The treadle 88, and consequently the valve stem GI, is normally urged upwardly by a coil spring 99 acting between the treadle and a stop 90. v

After the operator has thrown the sheet down on the floor of the doubler within the range of the side and end centering fingers, he steps on the treadle 8B, pushing the same down against the action of the spring 89 and depressing the valve stem 8I. This moves the valve 11, which may be a slide valve of well known construction, so that communication is established from the pressure line 14 through the connection 18, the valve 11 and the connection to the'connection I8 to the cylinder I6 and the connection 56 to the cylinder 55. As the relatively large piston areas are disposed in the directions of these respective connections the piston I9 will be moved toward the left, viewing Figure '7, and the cylinder 55 will be moved downwardly, viewing Figure 4. This will cause simultaneous operation of the side and end centering fingers as above explained, and the sheet will be centered on the doubler floor ready for bending. Oi coure, if a pack of sheets is to be doubled, the pack will not only be contered but the various sheets comprising the pack will be matched with respect to one another. Therefore, the centering mechanism is also sometimes referred to as matching mechanism, although it only performs a matching function when a plurality of sheets are to be doubled at the same time. 1

Upon release of the treadle 88 the valve stem 8| moves upwardly under the action of the spring 89, thus breaking the connection between the pressure line and the pipe and establishing a connection from the pipe 89 to the return line I5 through the valve H and the connection 19. This relieves the pressure at the right-hand end of the cylinder I6, viewing Figure '7, and the top of the cylinder 55, viewing Figure 4, whereupon the piston I9 moves toward the right to the position shown in Figure '7 and the piston in the cylinder 55 moves upwardly to the top of its stroke. Under these circumstances the centering fingers are withdrawn, the end centering fingers I I and I2 resuming their inoperative positions as shown in chain lines in Figure 7, and the side centering fingers 9 and I0 resuming their outer or inoperative positions as shown in solid lines in Figure 2.

There is provided an upstanding frame 9I (Figures 4 and 5) in which is mounted for vertical sliding movement a frame 92 carrying a creasing blade 93. The frame 92 is connected by a key 94 with a piston rod 95 of a piston 95 operating in a vertically positioned cylinder 9'! mounted on a cross frame 98 carried by the upstanding frame 9|. By reason of the provision of the piston rod 95 the effective area of the piston 95 at its top is substantially greater than the effective area thereof at its bottom.

The cylinder 91 is maintained in position between blocks 99 and E99 by bolts Iill. Through the respective blocks 99 and I99 are fluid passageways I2 and I93 connecting, respectively, with the inside of the cylinder below and above the piston.

A pipe I04 leads from the connection I02 to the pressure line M as shown in Figure 3 so that the bottom of the piston 96 is always subjected to line pressure. A valve I05 which may be similar to the valve ll is provided and has connections respectively to the pressure line at ,Iilfi, the return line at I91 and the cylinder 9'! at I03. The valve has a stem I98 (Figures 3 and 10) connected with a treadle I09 in a manner precisely similar to the connection between the valve stem 8| and the treadle 88.

Normally when the treadle I99 is up, the under side only of the piston 96 is subjected to line pressure and the creasing blade 93' is in its uppermost position as shown in Figure 4. The creasing blade is in such position during centering of the sheet, and while the treadle 88 is still held in depressed position the treadle IDS is also depressed, admitting fluid fromthe pressure line I4 through the connection I06, the valve I95 and the connection I33 to the upper part of the cylinder 96 and causing the piston, and consequently the creasing blade, to move dawnwardly. The creasing blade engages the sheet which is still maintained in position by the centering fingers and creases the center portion of it downwardly, forcing the same through the opening I between the curved guides 8. The piston 96 and creasing blade 53 are shown in their lowermost position in Figure 5, the creased sheet being shown in such figure at I ii). The sheet is gradually and uniformly forced down between the guides 8, which action will cause it to pull above the centering fingers, and when this occurs the treadle 88 is released, allowing the centering fingers to resume their outer or inoperative positions. The forcing of the sheet through the opening I between the guides 8 tends to some extent to squeeze the opposite portions of the sheet together, and leaves the sheet frictionally held between the guides so that the creasing blade may be withdrawn upwardly while the sheet remains in place as shown at i it in Figure 5. Upward withdrawal of the creasing blade is effected simply by releasing the treadle I99 which breaks the connection between the pressure line I4 and the upper portion of the cylinder 91, permitting the fluid to pass into the return line through the connection I 91. This permits the piston 33 and creasing blade 93 to resume their upper position as shown in Figure 4 due to the fluid pressure through the connections I64 and I92.

There is provided a cylinder I I I in which operates in a substantially horizontal direction a piston H2. Connected with the piston II 2 is a piston rod I I3 to which is connected through a coupling I I4 a ram I I5 having a nose II6 carrying a hardened plate ill. The mechanism just described is so positioned that the ram plate I I1 normally lies immediately adjacent the crease formed in the sheet by the creasing blade after the creasing blade has been withdrawn upwardly. A back plate IE8 similar to the ram plate II! is stationarily mounted opposite the ram plate as shown in Figure 5.

There is provided a four-way valve I I9 having thereto a connection 28 from the pressure line and a connection I2I to the return line. From the valve H9 there are also a connection I22 to the left-hand end of the cylinder I II as shown in Figures 3 and 5 and a connection I23 to the right-hand end of the cylinder I II. The valve I I9 has a valve stem E24 (Figures 3 and 10) which is connected by mechanism similar to the other connecting mechanism above described to a treadle I25 (Figures 2 and 9). When the treadle I25 is in its uppermost position the connections through the valve 5 I9 are from the pressure line 14 through the connection I25, the valve IIS and the connection ms to the right-hand end of the cylinder iii and from the connection I22 at the left-hand end of the cylinder through the valve II9, the connection iii and the return line i5. This insures that the piston i I2 and its associated mechanism will be at the left-hand end of their stroke as shown in Figure 5.

Upon depression of the treadle I25 the connections through the valve 5 I9 are changed so that the pressure transmitted from the line I4 passes through the connection I29, the valve I I9 and the connection I22 to the left-hand end of the cylinder Iii. At the same time the connection from the right-hand end of the cylinder at I23 is brought into communication through the valve II9 with the connection I2I 'and'the return line I5. This causes movement of the piston I I2 and ram II5 toward the right, viewing Figure 5, to compress the creased portion of the sheet against the back plate I I8, thereby completing the doubling. Upon release of the treadle I25 the fluid connections just described are reversed and the piston I I2 and ram I I5 move toward the left to their inoperative position as shown in Figure 5.

Connected with the coupling H4 at I26 is an arm I2I (Figures 5 and 8) with which is adjustably connected at I28 a rod I29 which is slidable in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylinder III and in synchronism with the piston I I2. The

rod I29 is guided for slidable movement by a sleeve guide I30.

Pivoted to the rod I29 at I3I is a latch I32 adapted for pivotal movement in a generally vertical plane. The latch I32 has a recess I33 adapted to cooperate with a block I34 carried by a slide I35 slidably mounted on a pin I36 in such manner that when the latch I32 is engaged with the block I34 as in the solid line position in Figure 8, movement of the piston I I2 will cause corresponding movement of the slide I35. The latch I32 is normally resiliently urged downwardly by a compression spring I32 operating between a stationary abutment I33 and a washer I34 carried on a bolt I35 connected with a downward extension I36 on the latch.

Connected with the slide I35 at I3! is the stem I38 of a valve I39. The valve I39 has a connection I49 to the pressure line I4, a second connection I4I to the return line I5 and a third connection I42 to the lower portion of a cylinder I43 (Figure 5). When the slide I35 is in the righthand position, viewing Figure 5, the valve I39 is in such a position that the connection I42 to the lower portion of the cylinder I43 and the connection IM to the return line I5 are in commu-- nication so that the piston I44 is in its lowermost position, viewing Figure 5, being urged to such position by gravity. However, upon movement of the piston II2 to the left, viewing Figure 5, and with the latch I32 in engagement with the block I34, the slide I35 is moved to the left and the valve I39 shifted so that direct communication is established between the connection I40 from the pressure line through the valve to the connection I 42 to the lower portion of the cylinder I43 which raises the piston I44.

Journaled in the frame at I45 is a shaft I46 on which is mounted for rotation therewith an arm I4I. Also connected with the shaft I 46 for rotation therewith is an arm I48 carrying at its outer extremity a roller I49 adapted at all times to rest upon the top of the piston I44. Thus, upward and downward movement of the piston I44 controls the angular position of the shaft I 46 and consequently the position of the arm I41.

The arm I4I engages at I50 an ejector I5I which is slidable in a generally vertical plane and has ejecting portions I52, as shown in Figure 2, which upon upward movement of the ejector push out the doubled sheet so that it will fall upon the floor of the doubler or be available for further manipulation.

Upward movement of the piston I44 causes rotation of the arm I4! in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 5, about the axis of the shaft I46, so as to move the ejector I upwardly; and as the upward movement of the piston I44 is caused by movement of the slide I35 toward the left, viewing Figure 5, which latter movement is dependent upon movement of the piston II 2 toward the left, it will be seen that after the ram has compressed the crease and moves toward the left, viewing Figure 5, to its inoperative position, the ejector then works automatically, without the necessity of any further manipulation or manual control, to eject the doubled sheet.

Also connected with the shaft I46 for rotation therewith is an arm F55 which, upon movement of the arm M1 in the counter-clockwise direction, referring now to Figure 8 instead of to Figure 5, engages a stud I55 carried by the latch I32,

thereby causing rotation of the latch I32 in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 8, about the axis of the pivot IBI and against the action of the spring I32 and releasing the latch from engagement with the block I35, thus permitting the slide I35 to move toward the left, viewing Figure 8, under action of a spring (not shown) which may conveniently be positioned within the casing of the valve I39. The parts are so constructed and arranged that just as the ejector reaches the top of its stroke the latch I32 becomes disengaged from the block I34 by the mechanism just described, so that the piston I55 may return to its lowermost position, this being assisted by the weight of the ejecting mechanism.

A safety device is provided to prevent movement of the ram II5 toward the right, viewing Figure 5, in a compressing movement while the ejector I5I is in its upper or ejecting position. This would likely result in damaging the ejector so as to render the same inoperative. There is provided a shaft I55 journaled in the framework at I56 and upon which is mounted for rotation therewith in a generally vertical plane a bell crank lever having a generally vertical arm I51 and a generally horizontal arm I58. The right-hand extremity of the arm I58 underlies the left-hand extremity of the arm I41 as clearly shown in Figure 5. A coil spring I59 connected with the arm I51 near its upper end tends normally to urge rotation of the bell crank lever and associated mechanism in the counter-clockwise direction, viewing Figure 5. The weight of the arm I41 on the arm I58 is sufficient to hold the bell crank lever and associated mechanism in the solid line position thereof against the action of the spring I59, as shown in Figure 5.

When the arm M1 and consequently the ejector I5I are in their upper position, the arm I51 underlies the treadle I 25 (see Figure 2) to prevent depression of such treadle until the ejector and arm I41 have again moved downwardly to their full line position, as shown in Figure 5. Upon such downward movement the bell crank lever is operated as above explained, turning the shaft I55 in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 5, and moving the arm I51 to the full line position of Figure 5 so as to clear the treadle I25 and permit depression thereof. By reason of the provision of this safety mechanism, if the operator should inadvertently attempt to depress the treadle I25 while the ejector is in its upper or ejecting position t -e treadle will be held up by the arm I51 and will not function until after return of the ejecting mechanism to its lower or inoperative position and so that the ejector is clear of the ram.

The various control valves for the hydraulic system are designated purely diagrammatically in the assembly drawings, and these valves may be of any desired or well known construction. Purely by way of example there is shown in Figures 12 and 13 one form of valve which may be used either exactly as shown or by removal of the plug for any of the valves in the hydraulic system.

The valve shown in Figures 12 and 13 is what is known as a four-way valve having four separate fluid connections IiEI, I52, 55-3 and 55. The valve proper, which is of the type known as a spool valve, is designated I55. The connection I53 is shown as being closed by a plug 555. Therefore, with the plug H55 in place the valve has only three operative fluid connections M8, M52 and IE4.

As will be clear upon inspection of Figures 12 and I 5, when the valve IE5 is in its upper position as shown and with the plug I65 in place the connection I5! is dead-ended and communication is established between the connections I52 and I55 On the other hand, when the valve is in its lower position communication is established between the connection I5! and the connection 852, the connection 565 being dead-ended. This is a well known type of valve and detailed description of it is unnecessary.

'I he'valve of Figures 12 and 13 exactly as shown and'with the plug I55 in place is suitable for use as any of the valves l1, I55 and I22 (Figure 3).

Assuming, for example, that the valve of Figures 12 and 13 is to be used as the valve ii, the connection ISI would correspond with the connection 18, the connection I 52 would correspond with the connection 35, and the connection 555 would correspond with the connection 19.

By removal of the plug {65 the valve oi Figures 12 and 13 can be used as the valve H5, in which case the connection Itl would correspond with the connection I25, the connection I52 would correspond with the connection I22, the connection I53 would correspond with the connection I 23 and the connection I55 would correspond with the connection I'M. "With the plug i55 removed and with the valve I55 in its upper position, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the connection I5! would be in communication with the connection I53. Likewise, with the valve in its lowermost position the connection I54 would be in communication with the connection I63.

One particular operating advantage of my doubler is that the sheets are doubled accurately at their transverse center line, there being no tendency thereof to skew or for the crease to be made toward one end or the other of the sheet. This is a desideratum of importance in doubling and one which has been particularly troublesome in the past. Another advantage arises by reason of the use of the ram to compress the creased portion of the sheet immediately following creas- L 1. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, means constructed and arranged to compress the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease while a portion of such sheet remains in the doubling passage, and a separately operable control for said last mentioned means.

2. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, a single unitary creasing blade for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, a ram operable to compress the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease, and piston and cylinder means for operating said ram.

3. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the-creased portion through said passage to double the same, means for withdrawing the creasing means, a ram constructed and arranged to compress the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease while a portion of such sheet remains in the doubling passage, and separately operable controls for said ram and creasing means.

4. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, means for compressing the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease, and means for delivering the doubled and compressed sheet, said last mentioned means including a lever and means connected therewith for engaging the sheet.

5. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, means for compressing the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease while a portion of such sheet remains in the doubling passage, and means for ejecting the doubled and compressed sheet from the doubling passage, said last mentioned means comprising a sheet engaging member reciprocable only substantially in the plane of the doubled sheet.

6. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, means for compressing the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease While a portion of such sheet remains in the doubling passage, and means cooperating with the crease to eject the doubled and compressed sheet from the doubling passage in the direction opposite the direction of doubling, said last mentioned means comprising a lever and a reciprocable member cooperating therewith for engaging the doubled sheet.

'7. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to doublethe same, means for withdrawing the creasing means, means for compressing the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease, and hydraulically operable means for delivering the doubled and compressed sheet.

8. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, a single unitary creasing blade for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, and hydraulically operable means for compressing the same at or adjacent the crease.

9. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, means for compressing the same at or adjacent the crease, and separately operable control means for said creasing means and said compressing means.

10. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, means for compressing the same at or adjacent the crease, and separately operable control means for said creasing means and said compressing means, said creasing means and said compressing means being hydraulically operable.

11. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the same, means for compressing the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease, means for delivering the doubled and compressed sheet, and separately operable control means for said creasing means and said compressing means.

12. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, means for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to doublethe same, means for compressing the doubled sheet at or adjacent the crease, means for delivering the doubled and compressed sheet, and separately operable control means for said creasing means and said compressing means, said creasing means, said compressing means and said delivery means being hydraulically operable.

13. A doubler comprising creasing means, compressing means and ejecting means separate from the compressing means, the ejecting means being operable by the compressing means.

14. A doubler comprising creasing means, compressing means, ejecting means and safety means preventing operation of the compressing means when the ejecting means are in ejecting position.

15. A doubler comprising creasing means, compressing means, separate manual control means for said creasing means and compressing means, and hydraulic operating means for said creasing means and compressing means, said manual control means controlling said hydraulic operating means.

16. A doubler comprising compressing means, control means therefor, ejecting means, and means for rendering said control means inoperative to operate said compressing means while said ejecting means are in ejecting position.

17. A doubler comprising compressing means, control means therefor, and ejecting means separate from the compressing means, said ejecting means being operable by said compressing means to eject a sheet after compressing thereof.

18. A doubler comprising creasing means, compressing means, ejecting means and stop means, said stop means positively preventing operation of the compressing means when the ejecting means are in ejecting position.

19. A doubler comprising sheet supporting means having a doubling passage therethrough, a unitary rigidly mounted creasing blade for creasing a sheet and forcing the creased portion through said passage to double the sheet, piston and cylinder means in alignment and directly connected with said creasing blade for operating the same, and means for compressing the sheet at or adjacent the crease.

ALEXANDER R. WEIBEL. 

